STANDARD WAGES

Grey River Argus, 28 August 1937, Page 7

STANDARD WAGES

EMPLOYERS’ CASE

Professor Toker’s Views

[Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, August 26.

The Arbitration Court to-day concluded its hearing of the case to determine standard wages for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled labour. Practically the whole of the morning was spent in the cross-examination of Professor A. T. Tocker, dean ol the Faculty of Economies at Canterbury University College, by Mr. J. Roberts, on behalf of the Federation of Labour.

In answer to Mr. Jas. Roberts, Professor Tocker said wages must, be closely associated with the prices o' the goods they produced. He could not say what those wages snould oe. Mr. Roberts: Supposing Tooley Street merchants did not buy anything from New Zealand for six months, do you think we would go without anything and starve? Professor Tocker: No.

Is it not a fact that your theories are in support of two sections of the people—the moneyed landholder and the farmer land gamblers?—That is not a fact. My theories are not in support of anyone. But didn’t you advise the previous Government upon New Zealand trade and go to London to advise Mr. Forbes? —I gave him some advice. Yes, and look where he landed.

Professor Tocker: I was not interested in any political party; but I was interested in the restoration ol recovery in New Zealand. You may associate me with recovery if you like.

Mr. Roberts: Recovery was due to the fertility of the land and the industry of the people. We have nothing to thank professors for. Mr. Roberts: Have you any opinion to express as to whether wages should be increased or reduced? —On the evidence as I know it, I can see no evidence that would justify either an increase or a decrease.

Mr. Justice O’Regan: You say nothing in your report about farming. I suggest that we need more farmers—l am inclined to agree with that.

Mr. Justice O’Regan: The proportion of the people who are farming has decreased considerably in the last 30 years. One of the first methods of correcting that evil would be ? reduction in the price of land?—l think the price of land has reduced itself in the last few years. During the depression everything—wages, prices, and interest—came down;.but the value of land remained level. In many instances there was no need to show, a reduced land value, since the land had at that time no sale value. Values in the Year Book were merely a basis for taxation. The valuations in the Year Book have not been altered for many years. His Honour: If justice were done, and the Year Book told the truth, the value of land should be reduced. This concluded the evidence.

INQUIRY CONCLUDES

AUCKLAND, August 27

'rhe standard wages inquiry by the Arbitration Court concluded to-day. After taking two and a han days to make their submissions, the employers’ and employee’s representatives occupied the whole of the sitting today with the reading of voluminous analyses and critical surveys, adding many thousands of words to the bulky volumes of evidence and reports tendered. Mr Justice O’Regan intimated, at the close, that the Court’s finding would .be pronounced as soon as possible.